A traditional UK chocolate firm has successfully secured a multimillion pound deal to produce mint crisps for a major brand.
Skipton-based Whitakers Chocolates, which has been run by the same family for 120 years, has entered a £10 million contract with prestigious British confectionary company Elizabeth Shaw, according to the Telegraph and Argus.
The contract, which is worth £2.5 million annually over the next four years, has already created around 25 jobs within the firm and could poise them for further expansion.
It comes as welcome news to the UK chocolate-lovers after British confectionary company Cadbury was taken over by American processed cheese firm Kraft.
The announcement is also sure to bring excitement to those in the profession and could see additional production facilities established to meet the demand.
Food processing machinery such as chain and flight conveyors and bucket elevators may be drafted in to help cope with increased orders.
Commenting on the partnership, current managing director William Whitaker told the news provider: "It’s great for two of the country’s oldest chocolate makers to be joining forces.
"Once fully operational, we will be producing close to two million chocolates a day and we expect our turnover to be close to £11m this year."